Authorities said Phillip Hardy was shot in the knee during the third quarter of Goldsboro's football game against Kinston High School. The game was suspended with Goldsboro leading Kinston 38-9, and Kinston forfeited.
Investigators say Howard shot Hardy in the knee during the game. Hardy was back home recovering Saturday night. Police said the shooter and the victim are not students at either high school.
Craig Hill, principal of Kinston High School, said he will not send his students back to Goldsboro High until security issues are addressed. He said he would like to see higher fencing and better lighting at the school.
"I have talked to the countywide AD (athletic director) about some of these issues. I think there is going to be some time to evaluate the security before I'm ready to go back into that setting," he said.
Patricia Burden, principal at Goldsboro High, said the school plans to take additional security measures, but she said the shooting was an isolated incident.
According to reports, the 18-year-old Hardy, of Goldsboro, was involved in a fight with an individual in the stands and was pushed from behind to the ground. That's when Howard allegedly took out a handgun and fired at Hardy, striking him in the leg.
Hardy was taken to Wayne County Memorial Hospital to be treated.
Authorities said they did not know if Hardy knew Howard.
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